The Verified Lists are compiled from data gathered by the company’s incognito inspectors, who stay at the properties and evaluate them on up to 900 standards.
For the first time ever, Forbes Travel Guide has created two “best of” lists highlighting 2018’s World’s Most Luxurious Hotels and World’s Most Luxurious Spas. Fifty-eight hotels and 30 spas across the globe receive this honorary recognition.
The Verified Lists are compiled from data gathered by the company’s incognito inspectors, who stay at the properties and evaluate them on up to 900 standards, used to determine annual the guide’s Star Ratings, which were announced in February.
“We are pleased to recognize the 2018 Most Luxurious Hotels and Spas in our debut Verified Lists,” said Amanda Frasier, Forbes Travel Guide’s Executive Vice President, Standards & Ratings.
“In a time when so many properties claim to be luxurious, the word has become ubiquitous. Forbes Travel Guide’s Verified Lists give guests an objective, data-driven source for making informed choices,” Frasier said. “These illustrious properties have been thoroughly tested and verified to ensure that they deliver luxury at every turn. We are proud to congratulate everyone associated with the prestigious properties on our Verified Lists.”
Forbes Travel Guide’s 2018 World’s Most Luxurious Hotels include 58 hotels in 17 countries, consisting of 52 Five-Star hotels and six Four-Star hotels. Top countries include the United States with 25 hotels, China with eight hotels, and Indonesia, Italy and Mexico with three hotels each, all rated as most luxurious.
The top destinations are Macau, with four hotels; Las Vegas, New York City and Bali; with three hotels each, as well as Los Angeles/Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong and Manila with two hotels apiece.
The brands that landed the most hotels on the list include the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group with seven; Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company with five; Melco Resorts with three; and MGM Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Park Hyatt, Rocco Forte Hotels, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Trump Hotel Collection and Wynn Resorts with two apiece.
The list represents the top performers for standards related to “Elements of Luxury” in Forbes Travel Guide inspections for 2018 — the top 6 percent of all Star Rated hotels globally.
Elements of Luxury standards reflect detailed attention to the level of sumptuous comfort, as well as luxurious choices and conveniences provided to the guest. This includes considerations such as: – The hotel surroundings are distinctive and convey a sense of place, including exceptional attention to interior design and landscaping.
- The hotel provides thoughtful touches throughout the guest experience, such as fresh flowers in the guest room, a noteworthy or thoughtful element at evening turndown service, chilled towels and fresh fruit in the fitness center, etc.
- The rooms are exceptionally comfortable, with top-of-the-line bed linens and pillows, luxurious bath amenities, and high-quality robes, slippers and towels.
- The guests’ belongings are handled thoughtfully and with care.
- There is a notable variety and distinctive presentation of food and beverages in the bar, hotel dining and room service. All serviceware, napkins and coasters are of exceptional quality.
Forbes Travel Guide’s 2018 World’s Most Luxurious Spas include 30 spas in six countries, consisting of 21 Five-Star spas and nine Four-Star spas. Top countries include the United States with 12 spas and two additional in Puerto Rico as well as China with nine spas.
The top destinations include Macau with five spas, Hong Kong with three spas, and Riviera Maya and Puerto Rico with two spas.
The companies with the most spas on the list include Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group with four; Marriott luxury brands with six, five of them being Ritz-Carlton; along with Melco Resorts and Velas Resorts with two each.
The list represents the top performers for standards related to ambiance and amenities in Forbes Travel Guide inspections for 2018 — the top 11 percent of all Star Rated spas globally.
Standards related to ambiance and amenities reflect detailed attention to the level of sumptuous comfort, as well as luxurious choices and conveniences provided to the guest. This includes considerations such as:
- When inside a private treatment room, the ambiance is relaxed, quiet, private and comfortable.
- The spa’s public spaces are generously spacious and thoughtfully laid out.
- Amenities are always plentifully stocked and conveniently and attractively displayed in showers and dressing areas.
- Spa amenities (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc.) are exceptionally luxurious in quality.
- The use of sound, light, scent and other visual elements combine to create a unique sense of place.
Double Winners
Among the Verified Lists, eight properties emerged as double winners, that is, they had a hotel and spa both earned the prestigious honor. Wynn boasts three winners in Macau — Wynn Macau, The Spa at Encore Macau and Spa at Wynn Palace Macau.
- ESPA at The Ritz-Carlton, Macau – The Ritz-Carlton, Macau
- Nüwa Spa Macau – Nüwa Macau
- OH! Spa – Ocean House
- Salamander Spa – Salamander Resort & Spa
- Sense, A Rosewood Spa at Mayakoba – Rosewood Mayakoba
- Spa Botánico – Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore – Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
- The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain – The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Forbes Travel Guide 2018 World’s Most Luxurious Hotels
The 2018 Most Luxurious Hotels list encompasses 58 hotels in 17 countries.
Forbes Travel Guide’s 2018 Verified Lists are compiled from score data in reports that determined 2018 Star Ratings. The Most Luxurious winners are the top performers in specific standards that reflect detailed attention to the level of sumptuous comfort, as well as luxurious choices and conveniences afforded to guests. The hotel list represents the highest-performing 6 percent of all Star Rated hotels globally.
By the Numbers
- 58 hotels in 17 countries
- 52 Five-Star hotels, 6 Four-Star hotels
- 8 double winners (same-property hotel and spa)
Top Countries
- United States (25 hotels)
- China (8 hotels)
- Indonesia, Italy, Mexico (3 hotels each)
Top Destinations
- Macau (4 hotels)
- Las Vegas, New York City, Bali (3 hotels each)
- Los Angeles/Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong, Manila (2 hotels each)
Top Brands/Associations
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Preferred Hotels & Resorts (7 hotels)
- Leading Hotels of the World (6 hotels)
- The Ritz-Carlton, Relais & Châteaux (5 hotels)
- Melco Resorts (3 hotels)
- MGM Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Park Hyatt, Rocco Forte Hotels, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Trump Hotel Collection, Wynn Resorts (2 hotels)
Forbes Travel Guide 2018 World’s Most Luxurious Spas
The 2018 Most Luxurious Spas list encompasses 30 spas in 6 countries.
Forbes Travel Guide’s 2018 Verified Lists are compiled from score data in reports that determined 2018 Star Ratings. The Most Luxurious winners are the top performers in specific standards that reflect detailed attention to the level of sumptuous comfort, as well as luxurious choices and conveniences afforded to guests. The spa list represents the highest-performing 11 percent of all Star Rated spas globally.
By the Numbers
- 30 spas in 6 countries
- 21 Five-Star spas, 9 Four-Star spas
- 8 double winners (same-property hotel and spa)
Top Countries
- United States (12 spas), plus 2 in Puerto Rico
- China (9 spas)
Top Destinations
- Macau (5 spas)
- Hong Kong (3 spas)
- Puerto Rico (2 spas)
- Riviera Maya (2 spas)
Top Brands/Associations
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (4 spas)
- Marriott luxury brands (6 spas; 5 of them are in Ritz-Carlton properties, 1 is in a St. Regis hotel), Preferred Hotels & Resorts (6 spas)
- Melco Resorts, Velas Resorts, Relais & Châteaux (2 spas)
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
